Recruiting Update: Oregon Banking on Three Bills

Mark Flores FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Football Recruiting

Visits

For Oregon, the recruiting stakes placed on this past weekend couldn’t have been much higher.  The Ducks hosted a slew of visitors over the past few days, some of which are absolute necessities in the long-term plan in Eugene.

One of Oregon’s biggest targets, defensive lineman Trey Lealaimatafao (3-Star/San Antonio, TX) finally made his way north after weeks of speculation regarding his direction.

It was really cool up (in Oregon),” said Lealaimatafao.  ”I got to hang out with Bralon Addison and Chance Allen the whole time.  We mostly just sat at the apartments and hung out.  Being around the players was fun, and the facilities are obviously really nice.”

The 6-foot-2, 301 lb. Lealaimatafao has been one of the hottest commodities nationwide since he decommitted from home-state school Texas and is now poised to take his talents to Autzen Stadium.  Defensive line coach Ron Aiken is scheduled to make an in-home visit later this week to follow up with the Lealimatafao family and get a sense of where the three-star prep sits before signing day.

Also in town for an official visit, safety Khalil Oliver (3-Star/Meridian, ID) appreciated the often overlooked aspects of what Oregon has to offer.

“It was great, I love the city of Eugene,” said Oliver.  ”It reminded me a lot . . . of Meridian.”

The hard-hitting 6-foot, 185 lb. safety also found himself equally in awe of the Ducks emphasis on academics in addition to nationally acclaimed athletic prowess.

“I was really impressed with the Jaqua Academic Center.  That is the one thing that really impressed me.  Academics are very important to me and (Oregon) talked a lot about them.”

Oliver, who is currently sitting on offer from defensive backs coach John Neal, will announce his decision as late as signing day.

To view Oliver highlights, please click here.

News

Junior college trench behemoth Rika Levi (3-Star/San Mateo, CA) may be committed elsewhere, but recently indicated he will visit Oregon after an offer was extended.

“. . . It is in my best interest to give Oregon a chance to show me what they have to offer,” said Levi.  ”. . . I would still weigh out all my options.”

Levi is nothing short of a monster on the line.  Standing 6-foot-2 and tipping the scales at 350 lbs., he has the type of body that can go toe-to-toe with the top defensive personnel in the country and could be one of the most underrated sleepers in the class of 2014.

To view Levi highlights, please click here.

Levi is expected to be in Eugene this weekend for what could be a class-changing pickup if all goes according to plan for Lightning Yellow and Thunder Green, so stay tuned!

For up to the minute recruiting news, please visit our friends at DUCK TERRITORY, who graciously provide FISHDUCK with in-depth analysis and player-generated material.  Look for my latest recruiting update every Wednesday. WTD!!!

Top photo by Kevin Cline

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